Screw driver



' Nov. 4, 1930. a. G. JANSSON ET L 1,730,785

SCREW DRIVER Filed Spt. 9, 1929 Patented Nov. 4, 1930 UNITED. STATES PATENT OFFICE BENNETT e. JANSSON, or KITTERY, MAINE, AND enemas J. EMERSON, or I WINCHESTER, MASSACHUSETTS SCREW DRIVER Application filed September 9, 1929. Serial No. 391,306. I I

This invention relates to screw drivers and similar tools. It aims to devise an article of this character which can be manufactured economically and which will have a much wider range of usefulness than the usual tools of this character.

The nature of the invention will be readily understood from the following description when read in connection with the accompan ing drawings, and the novel features Wlll e particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings,

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a screw driver embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view on a somewhat larger scale of certain parts of the screw driver shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a perspective View of a portion of the screw driver shown in Fig. 1 but illustrating a different method of using the devlce;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a tip which can be used with the shaft and handle shown in Fig. 1; and

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a set of tips designed to be used with said handle and shaft.

The implement shown comprises a handle 2 and a shaft 3 rigidly anchored in the handle and extending therefrom. Preferably, although not necessarily, the shaft is of hexagonal or other flat sided form. It is intended to be used with any one of a series of tips,

85 each tip being removably mounted on the end of the shaft. In order to hold the tips frictionally on the shaft the end portion of this part is split or slotted backwardly for a considerable distance from its extremity, as inclicated at 4. The slot should be made very thin or narrow, and the partially severed. sections of the shaft at opposite sides of the slot are sprung apart slightly so that they tend to separate and widen the slot.

A considerable variety of sizes and shapes of tips may be used with this handle and shaft. The tips shown at 5 are of novel construction and form one feature of this in-. vention. Each of these tips consists of a body part having two blades 6 and 7, respectively, projecting from the opposite ends thereof and located in planes extending at right angles to each other. A socket 8 is formed in one end of the body and opens immedlately beside the blade 6, while another socket 9 is formed in the side of the body, each of these sockets being adapted to receive the end of the shaft 3.

Fig. 1 shows the shaft inserted in the socke 8. It will be' observed that this socket is substantially in alinement with the blade 7 so that when the tip is in this position it cooperates with the shaft and handle to form a screw driver of the straight type. When, however, the shaft is inserted in the side socket 9, as shown in Fig. 3, both blades 6 and 7 are then in an offset relationship to the shaft and the tool can be used as an offset screw driver, either blade 6 or 7 being used in the slot of a screw. This arrangement is particularly useful in those locations where access to a screw by a straight screw driver is prevented by the presence of some overhanging part. In such locations the turning movement which can be imparted to the screw by a single blade usually is very limited so that it is necessary to use the two blades alternately, one blade turning the screw 90, or spmewhat more, and the other then being usec.

In marketing this implement it is contemplated that a series of tips like the tip 5 but of different sizes will be sold to go with each shaft, each of these tips having sockets 8 and 9 to receive the end of the shaft 3, notwithstanding the fact that the blades of the different tips differ in size, Such a series of tips is shown in Fig. 5. In addition straight tips' like thatshown at 10, Fig. 4, can be used.

with this shaft and handle, each of these tips having a socket to receiev the end of the shaft. It will be understood that whenever the end of the shaft is inserted in one of the sockets 8 or 9 it exerts considerable frictional resistance to the withdrawal of the tip, due to the inherent tendency of the split portions of the shaft to spring apart. Each individual tip, therefore, is held with ample security in its operative position on the end of the shaft but can be removed readily and replaced by another tip of'a different style or size.

The invention thus provides an implement which has an exceptionally wide range of usefulness while st11l being of such a construction that it can be manufactured economically. The fact that the tips 5 can be used either in a straight or offset relationship is an important practical advantage.

Having thus described our invention, 'what' we desire to claim as new is:

1. A screw driver tip comprising a body and two blades integral therewith and extendin in different planes from opposite ends 0 said body, one of said blades being ofi'set sufliciently from the axis of said body to expose a substantial end surface of the body, said body having a socket in said exposed end surface thereof beside one of said blades and another socket in the side of said body, each of said sockets being adapted to receive the end of a screw driver shaft. y

2. A screw driver tip comprising a body and two blades integral therewith and extending from opposite ends of said body in planes at right angles to each other, one of said blades being offset sufliciently from the and two blades integral therewith and extendin in different planes from op osite ends 0 said body, one of said blades eing offset sufiicientl from the axis of said body to expose a su stantial end surface of the body said body having a socket in said exposed driver shaft, said sockets being poly onal in shape and said shaft being retained. 51cmin by resilient frictional holding engagement. In testimony whereof we have hereunto signed our names to this specification.

I BENNETT G. JANSSON. CHARLES J. EMERSON.

end surface thereof, and another socket in the side of said body, each of said sockets being adapted to receive the end of a screw 

